Our paths first crossed first semester of Freshman year at USC. We were both at our student union getting dinner. DeMarcus completely dismissed me when we were being introduced because the line was short for his favorite burger place and he was "hungry." We didn't see each other again until I was applying to become a Resident Mentor at South Tower my Sophomore year. DeMarcus was working desk when it was time for my interview and I was super nervous. He helped calm me down and encouraged me while I waited. The next time we saw each other was Junior year when we were both Resident Mentors at South Tower. Even though we were on staff, we weren't super close and I studied abroad in the spring. (Ask him where I studied abroad my Junior year. LOL.) When I came back for Senior year, we became friends as we were brother/sister floor and we had a few business courses together and would study together. However, it wasn't until the Gamecocks went to the Final Four in April 2017 that we thought something could be there romantically. DeMarcus will say that "I came on to him," but I was just curious if he was as into me romantically as I was. He took me on a proper date and the rest, ladies and gentleman, is history! As our favorite quote would say we "fell in love like you'd fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." We started dating long-distance as he got his Masters at USC and I began work in Augusta, Ga. DeMarcus then received an offer to work in Atlanta upon graduation and I decided to follow him so we could stop being long distance (2.5 hour bus/car ride was not the move long-term).

Since Erika told you her version of how we met, I will tell you about the proposal. Not long after we started dating, I knew that Erika was an amazing woman and that I would be blessed to marry her. And so I started planning. Even though my original plan was cancelled due to COVID, I knew I still wanted to propose to Erika in 2020 with our close family surrounding us for our big moment. I knew I had to think of a reason for us both to be dressed up and taking pictures in the park. Our 3.5-year anniversary was coming up on November and I told Erika that we needed nice pictures for a canvas that I would gift her for our anniversary. She took to the idea without even blinking an eye and thus "Operation: Say Yes” commenced. I was able to coordinate with our families on a day that worked for everyone and was able to get one of our close friends to take the pictures. We took pictures throughout Piedmont Park and then once we got to the lake area, I got down on one knee and asked Erika if she’d be my wife and through lots of tears, she said yes! Our families came out of the bushes, and we celebrated with a dinner at our place afterwards. So even though it wasn't the dream proposal I had planned, it was still perfect and showed that when we are together, we will always find the best in a situation!